Summer Camp USA

So I've decided that next summer, instead of just going on a few holidays and generally bumming around, I'm going to actually get off my arse and DO something. And after speaking to the BUNAC people at a careers fair the other day at uni, I've come to conclusion that the something I will be doing is going to Summer Camp in America to be a camp counsellor...no not that sort of counsellor. It means I'll be looking after the kids, doing activities with them like film-making, photography, all sorts of sports, and generally just having a good time.

I want to do this soooo badly...At the moment I don't really have enough formal experience working with kids, so I've contacted the Girlguides people and will hopefully be volunteering with them (starting asap, fingers crossed!) which will beef up my application form.

Ah yes, the application form...what a palava. They want so much information, about me, about my background, my experience working with children, that sort of thing. And then I have to go to an interview (I'm hoping to book it for late January) for them to see if I really am suitable for it and what kind of camp I should be placed at...and then they have to find a job at a camp for me! If I get accepted that is.

But if all goes according to plan, I will be in America come the end of June. And I cannot wait!

Paris Paris Paris

So, nearly 2 months since returning from Paris, I have finally had the time to put together the footage i took, and make a lovely little video to show you all just what we got up to while we were there. I hope you enjoy!

I'm Baaaaack!

I'm well aware I've been pretty absent recently, apologies for that...life's been pretty hectic. Oh, and my laptop broke and I've only just gotten it back...a month later!

So what's been happening, I hear you cry?!

Well...where did I leave off? I was back in London after numerous holidays and fun travels and before long the monotony of being in one place was really starting to get to me. So fortunately I managed to get week's work placement at Tiger Aspect (a TV & Film production company) in the editing department, which was amazing as I got to really experience how it all works in post production and I actually got to sit in my own edit suite and play around with a cut of the BBC programme 'The Deep', as well as working with a director to put together a rough cut of a pitch video for a new show.

Tiger Aspect Avid Edit Suite

It was so much fun working there, and I really hope to go back in my Christmas holidays...it really has just confirmed that editing is definitely what I want to do after Uni, and now I'm so excited to get stuck into my final projects and just work on my craft.

I would have love to do another week at Tiger, but I'd already made plans to go with a friend to Paris the following week to see Canadian band, Stars.  Time for another adventure...but more on this another time - out escapades deserve their own post I think!

For now, I'm back in Falmouth...term has started and I'm finding that 3rd year is freakin' terrifying! On the plus side though, it'll all be over soon and then I can disappear off round the world!

Oh, and I got a car. A Seat Arosa. He's a beauty. Bucket List Number 49 - complete!

My lovely car...any name suggestions?

That's all for now. Byeeeee
x

Home At Last

Mykali Bay. You can see Turkey off in the distance.

I'm back in London after my (almost) month of travels and I have to say it's been a pretty sweet summer so far. I went down to the south of France for a few days before catching a plane (or three) to Samos Island, Greece. Samos is pretty much the furthest you can get from mainland Greece before you're in Turkey...I mean, I probably could have swum across it's really that close (have a look at the photo and you'll see what I mean).

Our room at the Sandalis Hotel

If you're ever in Samos and you want somewhere fairly cheap to stay, go to the George Sandalis Hotel in Pythagorio. It's only 30 Euros per night for a double room with en suite bathroom, balcony and little kitchen area (with fridge). It's clean and tidy, and the old couple who run it, Angelo and Maria, are awesome!

For the first few days we went to a little beach to the right of the harbour (where the sun loungers cost 3 euros each), which was nice, if not a little busy. After that, we found Pythagorio Beach, just a 5-10 minute walk back along the main road out of Pyth. It's a much longer stretch of beach, the sun loungers are only 2 euros 50 cents, and the sea is nicer to swim in.

Pythagorio Beach

We also visited a friend of mine who is working as a sailing instructor (among other things) in Mykali Bay, a beautiful beach area, where the sea is a perfect blue and has a sandbank that stretches for what seems like miles (see photo above). There are also kayaks, jet skis and other water activities available to try.

At night time, Pythagorio really comes alive and the many many many bars and restaurants that line the harbour front are always buzzing...I would recommend Zephyrus for their crepes and delicious milkshakes (and free wifi...just ask for the code when you buy a drink), and Thomas Bar for the most comfortable chairs in the world. No joke. They're incredible.

Zephyrus Bar (it was usually busier than this!)

Samos is a great place to just chill out and get some sun. However, if you're the type of person who needs activity then there are loads of daily boat trips to other beaches around the island and plenty of car/moped/quad-bike hire places if you fancy doing a little exploring.

Sadly though, all holidays come to an end...there's always next year!

And So It Begins

Finally my summer travels have begun, and although not quite as exciting or adventurous as it would have been had I won the STA WTI, I am just ecstatic to be going anywhere, to be moving, to be on the road.

I'm currently in Tuscany, Italy, staying in the most beautiful villa about an hour south of Florence, with my Dad and two younger sisters. It. Is. Heaven. The weather is glorious, the food delicious, and the pool is the exact right temperature - not too cold, not too warm, just perfect. Oh it's a hard life.

We've really just been doing nothing since we arrived. Just lying by the pool, reading, listening to music...mostly waiting for the next meal! And I wouldn't have it any other way. Although I think tomorrow we're going to Siena for a bit of a change of scenery.

I'm here until Friday and then it's a nice long train journey to Nice, France (I think I have to make about 3 or 4 changes...that could be interesting as I really don't speak a word of Italian. Or French for that matter. All part of the adventure I suppose!) and then on to my Grandma's house in a little village called Coursegoules, up in the mountains. It's so beautiful there, and I've been going every year since I was three, so it's kind of like a home-from-home.

And so, the journey continues...